I have largely looked with unenthuseddisgust at the so-called "folktronica" sound that has played out inrecent years. Growing up with my parents' Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, andWoody Guthrie records provided me with an appreciation for real mastersof the craft, and, comparatively, some moody dipshit's grandiose laptopmeets guitar experiments hardly garners my respect. The only possiblething worse than the typical album in this half-assed subgenre wouldhave to be one that also incorporates that desperately pretty latenineties IDM sound. Sadly, that's just where Gonglot fits in.It's hardly a surprise considering Planet Mu's shocking unwillingness toaltogether abandon stagnant styles, this album of material from 1999through 2005 utilizes unimaginative sputtering rhythms and contrastingpastoral melodies. Haven't we heard this ironic musical conflict enoughover the last decade? Can we finally lay to rest the pairing ofabstract DSP fuckery and geektastic dreamscapes that peaked years ago?Apparently not, according to John Wilson aka Frog Procket, who willfully retreads theworn paths already wandered by legions of unwanted clones of the actualpioneers.
His formulaic sound is often bland and occasionallyunbearable, such as on "Vaedre" where irritant beats increasingly clashwith soft strings until the former drowns out the latter beforeliterally grinding to an all-too-expected halt. Similarly, "Carac Cyls"reminds of the frustrating disappointment that was labelmate VenetianSnares' Huge Chrome Cylinder Box Unfolding. This is not to saythat the album is completely unlistenable, as the hour-long debutcontains intermittently pleasant moments throughout its duration,particularly with the use of mandolin on such tracks as "Follow ErolRaet" and "Plinty."
While it amazes me that a market for this type ofmusic still exists enough to justify the release of a full lengthalbum, Gonglot will probably appease those who haven't completely tired of its aural cliches like I have.
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